Chapter Text
Elliot was, once again, running for his life.
It was a regular occurrence at this point, just another one of life’s daily annoyances. Just another thing hammering at his brain.
1X was tailing close behind. Elliot knew the round was ticking over soon. It had to be.
He learned to tell the time based on the aching of his legs and the strain of his body.
They had to be close. They had to.
Or maybe he was just tired and desperate for any relief.
So when 1X caught up to him, slashing him to the ground, he barely flinched.
“Man.. just fucking.. Make it painless at least-”
Elliot is grabbed the throat.
“Fine.. Guess not.” he scoffs out the last of his air.
He finds himself unable to breathe a firm hand clenching tight around his throat. In another situation, with another certain person, he might find this sort of attractive.
But, he was too busy feeling like he was dying.
"This wasn't included in your-”
1X is interrupted when, both feel themselves starting to teleport away.
Elliot expects to wake up in a chair, most likely facing whoever else managed to survive the round.
But instead, Elliot still feels that hand tight around his throat.
He sees the interior walls of a cabin, not one he recognizes though.
He’s suddenly dropped to the floor, a curse ringing from the glitch’s lips.
His knees hit the ground hard but, he barely notices as he watches 1X collapse in front of him, curling up whilst shaking in visible agony.
But, Elliot has little time to process that as three sharp objects are pointed at him. A tentacle, a glitched out claw and a black sword.
Elliot crawls back but feels himself bump into a wall.
He can vaguely see Noli helping 1X onto the couch, stroking their long white hair as he places their head on his lap in a comforting gesture.
“WHAT’S PISS BITCH DOING HERE!” Azure shouts.
“I TOLD YA IT’S PIZZA, DUMBASS!” John Doe shouts back.
“You two incompetent rats couldn’t kill a squealing pig. I’ll do it myself-” Mafioso is cut off by Elliot.
“TRUCE! A TRUCE PLEASE!”
“Why the fuck would I do that?” Mafioso scoffs.
“Because I’m sure you all wanna kill me more and we do not know wat happens if we die outside of a round.” Elliot explains, throwing his hands up, “So, truce. Until I can get back to the right cabin.”
Azure pushes forwards, starting to wrap his tentacles around Elliot’s neck, “No! You heal, THEM!”
“Azure.” Noli’s voice is firm, “Leave him.”
Azure scoffs, pulling away, “Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t kill him.”
“Because you don’t need to right now.”
“Well maybe if I fucking kill him now a minute gets cut.”
“And maybe it doesn’t..” Noli sighs.
Noli then looks through the crowd, into Elliot’s terrified eyes, “Why are you here?”
“I’m gonna be honest dude, I have no clue. I don’t want to be here any more then y’all want me to not be here.” Elliot rambles.
Elliot thinks a thought he shouldn’t, it comes up so suddenly he can’t avoid it.
What if the others don’t even notice he’s missing?
He shakes it off quickly trying to focus on the situation at hand.
“If- If you guys know who the next killer is I can maybe cling and hope I get teleported.” He states, “Th-That might work yeah..”
“The person who’s the killer starts to fade. You’ll have about ten seconds to cling on.” Noli states.
Elliot just nods.
He hears a deep sigh before a pale yellow hand reaches out.
Elliot takes it, John helping him stand up.
“Fine. Truce until then.” He scoffs.
Azure scoffs louder, using their tentacles to climb up the wall like a spider, hiding in the corner of the ceiling.
“What’s.. Wrong with 1X?” Elliot can’t help but ask, still seeing them shaking on the couch, curling up on themselves with tears running from their eyes.
“The consequence.” Noli states.
“The,” Elliot blinks, “What?”
“For every survivor left at the end of the round we get a minute of.. this.” Noli sighs.
Mafioso shoves John out of the way, pointing the tip of his sword at Elliot’s throat, “Y’hear that kid? So maybe you all should play a bit nicer-“
Elliot can’t help but laugh, “Buddy, you think I’m afraid of you? I could not give a shit Joe much pain you go through Mafioso. Because I know you probably deserve every second of it.”
“Bitch.”
“I know what you do to Chance. You can kill me all you fucking want, I get it I’m an easy target. But. If you target the other survivors for a fucking dumbass reason I will personally become your god damn demise.”
“RUN THE BASTARD OVER AGAIN!” Elliot hears 1X shout, Elliot figuring they’ve recovered now.
“Besides.” Elliot sighs, “you all don’t get us playing nice because the less of us survive the less supplies we get. Like food.And clean water. And fucking medicine! You don’t get it easy because we also have just as much to worry about.”
John pulls Mafioso back away from Elliot.
“Guess the Spectre has different ways of torturing us all.” Noli sighs.
“The what?”
“So the being in charge of those place doesn't even have the common courtesy to tell you their name before torturing you.” Noli hums.
“Guess not.” Elliot shoves his hands in his pockets.
“Two Time doesn’t deserve courtesy.” Azure scoffs from his corner.
“Is he, just like that all the time?” Elliot asks.
“Yeah! He takes it out on me-“
Mafioso is interrupted by 1X slapping him in the back of the head as he walks by.
It’s not a soft slap either. Elliot can hear it echo through the room.
“That’s cause you’re an asshole!”
Mafioso seems to be trying to stop his hat from falling off his head.
“Fuck you! I need a god damn cigar.”
And with that, the suited man storms off, out seemingly the front door.
“Hey Jace the fighting’s done!” John calls out and out of the kitchen’s empty doorframe walks out Jason.
The first thing Elliot notices is that Jason’s a Bacon.
The second is that Jason’s not wearing his mask or his hood.
He realizes how little he knows about the man. They didn’t even know his name and just called him Slasher for the longest time. But C00lkidd loved the other killers (and the sound of his own voice) so would talk about them all the time in the middle of active combat.
That’s where they picked up his name. Jason.
He seemed to notice Elliot before turning and walking back into the kitchen.
“Give him a minute..” Noli sighs.
And after that minute passes, he pokes his head out once again. This time with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate, loaded with marshmallows. Actually Elliot thinks he had one before he went back in the kitchen.
Jason walks over and places one of the mugs in Elliot’s hands.
He seems to give a bashful smile before walking over to an arm chair and plopping down.
“You guys.. have hot chocolate?” Elliot can’t help but ask.
“We got a lot a shit.” John laughs, “doesn’t mean any of us know how to cook .”
“Really?” Elliot crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow at that.
“I mean John is good at grilling and Noli can uh.. make Mac and cheese on a good day.” 1X rambles.
Elliot takes a sip of the hot chocolate. It’s actually made with milk which makes it some of the best he’s ever had.
But, Elliot doesn’t really want to sit around with these guys, at least not before he processes everything. So he shoots out an offer,
“You guys got the ingredients to make pizza?”
…
It didn’t take long for time to make three pizzas. Hell, he got used to making up to ten at once.
People stopped in once in a while. John looking for beer, 1X who wanted a handful of the cheese he was shredding and Noli who was just making sure Azure didn’t come kill Elliot because he had no idea, quote-on-quote, “Where that tentacled bastard scurried off to.”
Elliot just worked on the pizza throughout all of this.
The longest part was always making the dough. Though Elliot could do that in his sleep. Literally. Back when he was still living at his childhood home he sleepwalked into the kitchen and made perfect pizza dough.
Elliot made two pepperoni and one cheese, not really knowing their personal tastes. He was also very used to making at least one vegetarian option due to Dusekkar.
“Chance can you help-” he shakes his head, forgetting he’s not in his cabin, “Can someone help me carry the pizzas?”
He watches John step into the room, chugging the rest of his beer bottle.
He freezes, “Holy fucking shit..”
“Hm?” Elliot pauses, “What’s that for?”
“God.. I haven’t seen pizza that good for a while..”
Elliot just snorts, “Well, we gotta bring it into the living room to eat it.”
He nods.
Elliot easily picks up two while John picks up one.
The two walk into the living room, placing them on the coffee table.
“Okay, go wild.” Elliot gestures, sitting down on the carpeted floor.
All hesitate before immediately giving in, reaching in and grabbing slices.
To Elliot’s surprise, all the slices turn into different types like it was a round.
Noli’s turns into a seafood based pizza.
John’s turns into a meaty supreme slice.
Jason’s becomes more unique, a cheese slice that looks like it’s from a different shop then Elliot was from.
Mafioso’s (who has since come back inside after smoking three cigars) turns into a slice of pizza capricciosa.
The last two are more interesting.
Elliot is not planning on telling anyone this but, Azure’s slice turns into the exact one Two Time gets.
And then, there’s 1X’s.
A Hawaiian slice with added anchovies. Elliot knew that was a fucking abomination but has made worse.
“What the fuck is that?” John scoffs.
“Pizza. It tastes really good.” 1X speaks through a full mouth.
“That is an abomination to Italian cuisine.” Mafioso mutters.
Noli, seemingly trying to prevent an argument, interrupts, “So, are Builderman and Shetletsky finally boning?”
“Yes. and they are too fucking loud about it. I’m sending them to the fucking cellar soon.” Elliot scoffs.
1X gags. Not because of their pizza slice but because of that statement.
“Well at least it’ll make rounds a bit more interesting.” John sighs.
“How about you and Chance.” Noli chuckles.
“How about you and 1X?” Elliot rebuttals.
“Damn he’s fast..” John mutters.
“Noli was the first person to comfort 1X plus, she’s still clinging to his arm.”
That wasn’t a lie, 1X had their arm wrapped around Noli’s as they laid against him. The other killers barely even noticed this. It was just, a daily occurrence, one they didn't even know when it started.
“Touché.” Noli states before adding on, “The first person you called for was Chance. Like he was your little house spouse.”
“They just, Chance always jumps first anyways- Does it really matter?”
“You can’t keep their name out of your mouth can you?” 1X snorts.
“You know what?” Elliot leans back on his hand, “I won’t even lie, I like Chance yeah. They’re attractive and funny and charming and shit. But, that’s it. I’m not really that, ya know? There’s no logical reason for him to feel the same about me.”
“Since when did Chance ever think logically?” John asks bluntly.
“Okay, you’re not wrong.” Elliot rolls his eyes, “Still not more likely.”
“Look at me you little rat.” Mafioso scoffs.
“You wanna get run over again fatass?” Elliot scoffs back.
“Chance. Likes. You. He stares at you like he used to stare at the ex-bitch of theirs.”
“Who?”
“Not my story to tell. His to tell you.”
“So that’s why you gun for Elliot as well as Chance..” Noli hums, “You wanna piss them off more.
“The gambler owes me.” Mafioso finishes off his slice, taking another, “So what if I’m just seeking a debt.”
Elliot takes the slice from his hands, “You don’t get more than one. Least not while I’m still here.”
“What is his problem with me?” Mafioso rolls his eyes.
The rest of the killers, along with Elliot just stare at the man.
Azure breaks the uncomfortable silence, “I’ve.. never had pizza before. It’s, interesting.”
“Yeah Two Time hadn’t either-” Elliot interrupts himself, “My apologies, I didn’t mean to bring them up. I know you two aren’t on good terms.”
Azure stares at him and Elliot just places what was once Mafioso’s slice onto the table in front of Azure.
“You gonna eat one yourself kid?” John asks.
“Oh uh, I don’t really eat my own food. It’s for other people, not me.”
“Bad habit.” Noli chuckles, “Break that one quick.”
“Look, I, I appreciate the sentiment but honestly I’m okay with just the leftovers. Plus, it’s a long standing habit from working around food for so long.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Jason glancing around.
Elliot turns to him.
“He.. I think he wants to know how C00lkidd and Six are doing.” Noli sighs.
The room falls quiet.
“They’re both good.” Elliot starts, able to tell these killers do miss the two, “C00lkidd has been harassing Builderman which is funny. Uh, drawing a bunch. Though, he did give his C00l.gui back to N7 so, he’s been, entertained figuring out the beta. Other then that, he’s been drawing a bunch though,”
Elliot looks around, seeing that the walls are covered in C00lkidd’s drawings. Some of Dracobloxers, some of the killers.
Some of him and 007n7.
“It seems like that was a normal occurrence.”
“Yeah, he used to draw directly on the walls as well.” 1X snorts.
“Sixer is, good. Spends a lot of time with Noob. Walked in the two making out so it seems like their relationship is still going strong. Actually recently though, joined some of the poker games that they’ve all been playing recently. Other then playing against Chance, she’s been doing well for themself. Plus, Noob gave ‘em their old gear to use as a survivor. Honestly? Much better at using it then Noob was. Noob’s a lot more competent with their new kit.”
He then turns to Jason, “So, to answer your question. They’re both good. They’re happy. Though, I can tell by C00lkidd’s drawings, he misses you guys. Sixer, is more neutral about the whole missing thing sorry to say that.”
Jason gives a crooked smile, eyes lighting up.
Elliot can’t help but give one back.
“Does Two Time speak about me?” Azure suddenly blurts out causing Elliot to choke on air.
“Uh- yeah, once in a while. They- They more mutter right now. Mainly about forgiveness and uh, justification. Before though,, they.. Uh, told Chance and I the story. Right after you appeared.”
“What lies did they feed you?” Azure asks.
“Maybe this isn’t a good conversation top-” Noli is interrupted by a resolute Elliot.
“They told us what they did. They also told us that they were told to do so. Promised that you would come back with a second life and that they needed to do it to prove.. Devotion or something. I could tell there was more about after it all happened but, they didn’t share that. Kind of, passed out from crying beforehand.”
“The prophet.. Told them..” Azure scoffs, “That doesn’t excuse shit. They stabbed me in the heart.”
“You're right.. Not an excuse, just the reason. But.. sometimes, I learned recently at least, sometimes just hearing the reason is a good start.”
He just starts eating the slice of pizza, seemingly lost in this new thought.
“Anyone else need therapy?” Elliot looks around the room.
“Does Shedletsky talk about me?” 1X snorts.
“Nope. Still tryin’ to convince that therapy patient to open up.”
“Wait, he knows?” John asks.
“Wasn’t hard to figure out. 1X mutilates constantly there has to have been something.”
“Can I just tell them already?” 1X sighs.
“Honestly, maybe in like a few rounds. Dusekkar and Shedletsky are already beefing enough. I don't need more drama right this second.” Elliot shrugs, “Could solve the problem though.”
“I like the pizza. So I will wait for you. Plus, I owe you for running fedora over.”
“Uh. Thanks-”
That’s when 1X starts to vanish.
“NO I WANTED MORE PIZZA YOU FUCKING CUNT I’LL KILL YOU YOU BITCH!”
Elliot, hesitantly, reaches over the table and grabs onto 1X’s arm as they let go of Noli.
“Y’ALL BETTER SAVE ME SOME!”
And just like that, the two fell into a carnival fairground.
Elliot stumbles back, throwing his hands up.
“Okay, you can kill me now. Do your worst.”
He braces for an impact that never comes.
Instead, he hears something, “Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight..”
And so on and so on.
Elliot takes the hint, calling out as he runs off, “Thank you!”
1X stops counting down as soon as the delivery driver is out of ear shot.
Instead, she mutters to herself, “Did he really think I would kill him just like that..?”
They stare at their own pitch black hand, wrapped in chains as one would bandages.
But Elliot keeps running.
In the distance he can hear a vague conversation.
“We need to find him!”
“He might not even be here kid-”
“He damn well has to be!”
“Chance, calm down.”
“I’m sorry if I’m worried. He’s missing! We don’t know what happened!”
“We’ll find him.. Just let's get settled into the round first.” He’s close enough to start picking out voices, like that one’s 007n7.
“You know what, fine. I’m just going to flip my fucking coin and think about where to look next.” he hears Chance scoff.
“Ya need ta chill. We’re in the middle of a god damn round.” That’s definitely Builderman.
“Chance. It’s okay to be worried. But we need to watch our backs right now.” that steady voice can only be Guest’s.
“I-I know..” Chance sighs, “But, Elliot is missing. We don’t know where he went. I-I just need him to be okay. He, always worries about us. So I’ll worry about him.”
Elliot leans on the wall, starting to catch his breath from the run, “You talking shit about me Chance-”
Before he can even finish, two arms are wrapped tight around him.
“Ch-chance.. I’m good. I’m good I’m here..” he laughs softly as he embraces Chance, “I’m here Lucky..”
“Where the fuck were you!” Builderman shouts, standing up from his position building his turret.
“Oh and I was being overly emotional.” Chance mutters.
Elliot silently laughs at that before responding to Builderman, “1X latched onto me as the round ended, guess I got dragged to their cabin.”
“The programs said you were across the lake.. Are the killers..” 007n7 mutters to himself.
Elliot bops Chance’s forehead so they don’t scream at the father.
Luckily, Guest is more calm about it, “You knew he was across the lake?”
“Yes. But that lake is massive. No one was swimming across it and making it. I also, just figured it out a couple minutes before the round started. Also uh, I didn’t want you or Chance to swim across the lake.”
“Fair enough.” Guest states, giving the ex-hacker a nod.
Builderman crosses his arms, “You survived being trapped with the killers?”
“Eh, they aren’t that bad out of the rounds. Found out why they kill us. Turns out they feel like, a minute of agony per person they don’t kill.”
“Youch.” Chance hisses, still not letting go of Elliot.
“Yeah, told them we aren’t going to stop fighting back and why. Plus, threatened Mafioso that I would run him over again.”
“Anything else?” Guest asks.
“I’ll tell you all everything after the round. Best we get going because 1X is the killer.”
He watches as Chance makes no attempt to move, almost holding him as if he’ll vanish once again.
“If it makes you stop moping like a puppy dog you can stay with me during the round.” Elliot sighs, shaking his head.
He pulls away, “Moping, I’m not moping.”
“You totally are. You have a sad pout on your pretty face.” Elliot teases, “Don’t need you ruining it with frown lines.”
“Ugh! My face is perfect even if I had those.” Chance scoffs while visibly trying not to laugh.
“Sure, whatever you say idiot.” Elliot snorts.
“Are they fucking yet?” Builderman leans closer to Guest and 007n7.
“Nope.” Guest sighs.
“Yeah I think they’re hopeless.” 007n7 adds on.